Monday, 18 May 2009

Mourinho respects Inter's rivals

Inter coach Jose Mourinho claims his 'zero tituli' remark, which has become a new buzzword among the club's fans, was a considered attack on his rivals.

Mourinho made fun of rivals AC Milan, Juventus and Roma by rubbing it in that they would win no titles, 'zero titoli', this season while his side successfully defended their Serie A crown this weekend.

His Portuguese take on the word 'title' elevated the phrase to cult status, with shirts, flags and banners printed in their thousands and displayed at the San Siro on Sunday.

After the 3-0 success over Siena confirmed the Nerazzurri's domestic dominance, Mourinho admitted his mind games were indeed intentional, but that he has no hard feelings towards his rivals.

"I did it strategically to earn more faith and get a reaction from the others," he said. "I know how the fans think and they like this conflict with our direct rivals and it was a way of bringing them closer to the team.

"I did take a risk because if we didn't win then the others could joke about us. But, in the end, it's all over and I respect our rivals, their clubs, and probably the biggest beneficiary is the man who sold all the shirts and made so much money."

Inter did not benefit financially from the sale of merchandise, while President Massimo Moratti has made it clear to Mourinho he must sell a few players before being given money to strengthen the squad.

Mourinho admitted he would like "four or five" new players this summer, but Moratti spoke of "a balanced transfer market".

"Our venture in the transfer market will not be spectacular," Moratti said. "It will be a balanced transfer market where we will have to sell first of all before being able to sign the players that our coach wants."

Inter are closing in on the signing of Diego Milito from Genoa, although Moratti revealed no deal had yet been struck with their Serie A rivals, even though he remains optimistic of landing the Argentinian.

Furthermore, Udinese striker Fabio Quagliarella is a personal favourite of Mourinho and another Genoa player, Thiago Motta, has been linked with the Nerazzurri.

Meanwhile, Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz and Patrick Vieira all seem to be heading out of the door on the heels of Adriano, whose contract with the club was torn up last month and Luis Figo, who announced his departure at the weekend.

"We certainly need quality players in the midfield," said Mourinho. "This year, the same players have always played there. We also need a defender who knows how to play football.

"Everybody knows that we are not far from Milito so we are getting a player who is in top form."

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